8/31/16

Streep Savvy: In this month Florence Foster Jenkins, directed by Stephen Frears, Meryl Streep gives full-throated life to an eccentric socialite and self-styled diva and her uproarious off-key singing.

Meryl! The divine Meryl Streep covers this weekend’s edition of WSJ. magazine, which is their September ‘Women’s Fashion’ issue and up 4% in ad pages over last year, according to publisher Anthony Cenname. Inside, the star of the critical darling film Florence Foster Jenkins finally comments on the Taste of Streep Instagram account which sees the actress emerging from donuts, pies, mozzarella sticks, etc. for no good reason. “I don’t even know what that means,” Streep says with a laugh to writer Alex Bhattacharji. “People have too much time on their hands,” she says. “We need to create more jobs!”

will.i.am said the remake was inspired by tragic events throughout the world including recent attacks in Paris, Belgium, and Turkey; the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling; the deaths of police officers in Dallas; and the Orlando mass shooting.

“Everyone was calling on us,” he told ATTN:. “Like, ‘We need that song again.’”

He hopes to reach millennials the same way the song reached listeners in 2003. “Millennials are powerful,” he explained. “I don’t think they realize just how powerful they are…I hope this song inspires the millennials to go all out, scream from the tallest mountain, care like your freedom depends on it. Pay attention like that is at risk.”

Fresh off his first VMA win and performance with Nick Jonas at Sunday’s VMAs, Ty Dolla $ign continues his Campaign with the video for “Zaddy.” Shot during his recent trip to Japan, the futuristic clip takes inspiration from the 2015 sci-fi thriller Ex Machina.

Ty’s leading lady is played by a humanoid robot with artificial intelligence, who roams the streets of Tokyo. She eventually makes her way into Ty’s bedroom and the two share a steamy makeout session.

“Zaddy” follows the Future-assisted title track, both of which will appear on Ty’s upcoming album Campaign, due Sept. 23.

WATCH:

In conjunction with his Campaign, Ty has also announced the inaugural “Dolla Day,” taking place Sept. 25 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The Respect My Vote! concert with Ty and special guests will be livestreamed on TIDAL. A limited amount of $5 fan appreciation tickets are now on sale.

Calvin Harris Strips Down to His Boxer Briefs for the ‘Gram

Ladies this is what you came for! Calvin Harris seems to be unbothered by not being with Taylor Swift.

The DJ took to Instagram to wish his manager a happy birthday and dropped a nice little thirst trap at the same time.

WOW…..Ladies you approve?

FIRST PROMO PICS - "Dancing With The Stars" Season 23

Amber Rose was officially named as a contestant on DTWS season 23. Maksim posted, "I see you Amber!!! My season 23 partner is a gem and this is going to be A LOT of fun! @dancingabc is not ready! What's our team name @amberrose ????"

Also joining the cast is Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez. The cutie will be competing against retired NFL baller Calvin "Megatron" Johnson and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

*Baylee Curran, who is Chris Brown’s alleged victim, sat down with “Extra” to detail events leading up to her 911 call to police, confirm that there are witnesses to back up her story, and to deliver a message for the rapper.

Curran claims that Brown pulled a gun on her while she was visiting his home. The police say they have arrested Chris for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Brown denied any wrongdoing via his Instagram account.

Curran, a model, actress and beauty queen, told “Extra” she had met Brown several times and was at his home to talk about upcoming projects. Trouble allegedly began a few hours into the visit. She had gone outside for some fresh air, and when she returned she saw a man displaying some jewelry.

“I saw a man who was showcasing the diamond bracelets, and the watches and the necklaces, and of course I saw one that was beautiful, so I was admiring it,” she said. “It was a diamond cross necklace, and as I was admiring it, simply just standing over it, looking at it, didn’t touch it, didn’t pick it up, wasn’t trying to take it [or] anything to that sort.”

She continued, “A guy with dreads, I don’t recall his name, came at me, cussing, yelling, calling me names, saying, ‘Get away from the diamonds.’”

Soon after, Brown entered the scene, “Chris came in, pulled out his gun and said, ‘I’m getting so sick of you people,’ pointed the gun at me, [and told me] to get the f out of the house.”

Curran walked out, but couldn’t leave because Chris’s team had her cell phone. She says they tried to make her sign a nondisclosure agreement before returning her phone, but she refused. “I took my phone and made a run for it.”

“I fled down his driveway,” she continued. “I went to the left side of the street, went up a couple houses, was running. That’s when the neighbors heard the commotion and saw me out there and then called the police, and that is when I then called the police.”

Before police arrived, Curran says, “I saw a black jeep come down from Chris’s driveway toward where I was, where the neighbor was. I went underneath the nearest vehicle… there I was, literally crawled underneath the car… hid behind the tires, and the jeep came up to the area of that vehicle, turned around and went back up the driveway.”

She eventually went to a local precinct to file a police report.

Curran also confirmed, “There are witnesses. I had my friend with me, my girlfriend… she actually fled with me, went running down the street, was there when the cops came, saw the gun, saw the threats. I’m sure you can ask the jewelry man, he was there. I’m sure Chris’s friends won’t vouch for me, of course.” She also noted there was a tattoo artist onsite, but wasn’t sure if he saw anything.

Curran insisted none of this is for publicity. “I don’t lie, I would never lie. Why, for what? I don’t need the publicity. I’m already kind of well-known being Miss California Regional, modeling, upcoming actress, so if I was doing this for fame or something of that sort why would I do it this way?”

She also had a message for Brown, “I would say to Chris, be the good person that I know you are. He knows what he has done… I would say, just come out with the truth, because I’m sure it will come out one day anyway.”

Meanwhile, Ray J, who was at Chris Brown’s house during the standoff, says Baylee Curran is Lying … insinuating that she’e trying to get paid.

Steve Harvey Is Headed To Trial Over Unreleased Comedy Tapes.

This is not a laughing matter. Steve is suing former videographer over who owns rights to footage.

According to THR reports, In the case currently playing out in a Texas federal court, Harvey is tangling with Joseph Cooper, who was hired back in 1993 to tape performances at Harvey’s Dallas club. Cooper has retained about 120 hours of footage and claims ownership. Harvey counters that the material was shot for internal use and that Cooper has been attempting to extort him by telling others there’s potentially embarrassing material on the tapes. At one point, according to court papers, Cooper wanted to sell the tapes back to Harvey for $5 million.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle got an opportunity to look at the claims and arguments. She released a summary judgment opinion (read here) that rejected two of Cooper’s claims related to interference in the marketplace, but denied Harvey’s bid to rule out a claim that the comedian breached contract. She also refused to award Harvey an injunction

The judge has now told both sides to come up with a trial date no later than January 30, 2017.

WATCH: New Trailer Released of Kevin Hart’s Concert Film Titled ‘Kevin Hart: What Now?’

In Universal Pictures’ Kevin Hart: What Now?, comedic rock-star Kevin Hart follows up his 2013 hit stand-up concert movie Let Me Explain, which grossed $32 million domestically and became the third-highest live stand-up comedy movie of all time.

WATCH

Hart takes center stage in this groundbreaking, record-setting, sold-out performance of “What Now?”—filmed outdoors in front of 50,000 people at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field—marking the first time a comedian has ever performed to an at-capacity football stadium.

Young Thug did not have sex for 6 Months!

Young Thug isn’t into having sex. In a couple’s interview alongside his fiancée, Jerrika Karlae with VFILES as part of their TMI segment, the rapper revealed that he and his future wife did not have sex for the first six months of their relationship. In fact, he says they’ve done sexual things, but not actually the act.

He explains, "We wasn’t doing it on like no it’s too early to have sex shit. I don’t care for sex that much. I’ve never actually had sex with her. Never ever. Our first time doin’ grown stuff, she did it. She pulled me to the room and was like ‘come here’."

Karlae stated that initially she thought he was “weird” for not having sex, but however she went on to explain why that made her more attracted to Thugga. Click here for the full interview.

Nick Lachey and 98 Degrees can’t sell tickets: HALF EMPTY VENUES

NOT HOT …. Nick Lachey and his group 98 Degrees (remember them!?) are currently having LOTS of trouble selling tickets on their current tour.

How bad? At a recent Atlantic City show, they played to almost half empty venue!

8/30/16

Last week San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a stand against police brutality by refusing to stand for the National Anthem.

Now Colin's birth mother speaks out about his protest...even though she abandoned him.

Later, after she was dragged for pure filth by followers who reminded Heidi Russo that she gave up the right to advise Colin after giving him up for adoption despite her parents offer to raise him, Ms. Russo fired back telling her critics adoption is a blessing.

Fergie goes topless in this new photo shoot from Paper magazine’s September 2016 issue.

Here’s what the 41-year-old entertainer had to share with the mag:

On taking a break from the limelight: “My husband and I wanted to start a family — it’s crazy going from city to city like that, and to be honest, I was really burnt out. It was like peeling back layers from an onion. It was relearning how to live. I’m living with my husband for the first time as a couple, and all of a sudden I’m not living out of travel bags — that took a while, because it always felt like I was about to leave at any second. I was like, ‘No, I can actually have drawers that look like drawers.’ It’s such a weird thing to explain to people, but it was just my reality.”

On deciding to record music again: “My husband was really the one who encouraged me. He said, ‘It’s who you are, and I want to see you onstage again.’”

Kroy Biermann knows his wife, and he knows how much she despises tardiness for all manner of events. So he made her extra happy by celebrating their five-year anniversary a few months early — and doing it with some giant diamonds to boot.

Showing off a dazzling new band to go with her monster engagement ring from the NFL star on Snapchat, the former Real Housewife said, “This is my present from my hubby, a Forevermark wedding band for our five year anniversary. I just got the band early because he loves me so much.”

A Forevermark rep said in an email that the eternity band “was purchased from Tara Fine Jewelry who works closely with the family. Kroy loved the Forevermark Diamonds, which are responsibly sourced and chose a ring that was 11 carats to symbolize their anniversary being 11/11.”

Not content to stop at the sparkle, Biermann delivered five vases of exotic flowers and some roses with a message, to make their reunion after his time at training camp even sweeter.

As they say, get yourself an NFL player who can do both (give you jewelry and flowers).

Impressed?

Terrence Howard and ‘Empire’ Writers Tease Season 3: ‘There’s a Lot of Heartbreak to Come’

With less than a month to go until “Empire” returns with its third season, the cast and crew behind Fox’s hit drama are gearing up for another drama-packed year.

WATCH:

Season 2 left off with a major cast member falling to her death, leaving viewers wondering who was killed off. The season also introduced Lucious Lyon’s (Terrence Howard) mother and the Empire king’s surprising half-brother who happens to be with the feds. (To catch up on the second season, read our finale recap here.)

“She’s very dangerous because she could ultimately be a threat to his life,” Howard says of his on-screen mother in a new video, exclusively released by Variety (above).

The season finale also saw Lucious shockingly marrying Anika (Grace Gealey), furthering the messy relationship between him and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). “Lucious has always said Cookie is his one. It’s probably one of the few true things Lucious has ever said,” showrunner Ilene Chaiken says in the video.

“The season ends with Lucious a little bit on his heels,” Malcolm Spellman, co-executive producer and writer, says. “Season 3 picks up and Lucious has realized he needs control over his family always because his family is the business.”

Howard teases the new episodes, bluntly stating: “I’m episode by episode, but from what they’ve established thus far, there’s a lot of heartbreak to come.”

“Empire” Season 3 premieres Sept 21 at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Joe Announces Title of New Album, Plus Fall Tour Dates

Guess who’s back?

Ok, maybe the title already gave that away, but every time R&B legend Joe returns to the scene it still gets exciting. The man is just always that consistent, and if his brand new single, “So I Can Have You Back,” is any indication of what’s to come — it’s looking like the singer/songwriter will have one of the best projects of the year.

After releasing the song last Friday, Joe has officially revealed that the title of his anticipated 12th studio album is, #MyNameisJoeThomas. The LP will hit stores on November 11.

Speaking about the album to iHeartRadio, Joe said: “The bar has been set. We took my two most successful albums (‘All That I Am’ & ‘My Name Is JOE’) and would not so much as leave the studio until we felt in our hearts we met the bar or topped it.”

Strong, confident words, but we can believe it. With the album due out mid-Fall, Joe has already embarked on a national promotional tour, which is currently scheduled to hit 15 U.S. cities, before traveling to Australia for a week of shows in November.

See the tour itinerary below.

JOE #MYNAMEISJOETHOMAS TOUR DATES:

August 20 – Sewell, NJ

August 21 – New York, NY

August 27 – Atlanta, GA

September. 3 – Stockton, CA

September 16 – Pullup, WA

September – 17 Dallas, TX

September 24 – St. Louis, MO

October. 14 – Jacksonville, FL

October 15 – Circle of Sisters

October 16 – Chicago, IL

October 22 – St. Petersburg, FL

October 23 – South Haven MS

Oct. 26 – Dayton, OH

October 28 – Birmingham, AL

October 29 -Hampton, VA

November 21 – 27th – Australia

New Hip Hop: DeJ Loaf – ‘Phone Down’ (Remix)

DeJ Loaf adds her own twist to Erykah Badu‘s “Phone Down” with a remix (DeJmix). The Detroit rapper intends on getting all of her man’s attention when he’s around, and not only does she plan on making him put his phone down, she’s confident he’ll be putting it on vibrate, too.

“No calls, no text, ’cause I’m sitting right here. I can make you put your phone down, and you ain’t gotta worry about me searching.. all your calls are safe,” she raps. “You know I don’t care what’s on your timeline. F–k Instagram and Twitter, I’m already verified.”

Fans may soon be getting some more new music from DeJ, as she was recently spotted at work in the studio. “Album Grind. Watch What Happens,” she wrote on IG – and this afternoon, she told fans that her new track, “Hold it Down,” was on its way if “They Free My Little Brother Today.”

Check out DeJ’s “Phone Down” remix, and get a preview of “Hold it Down,” HERE

Chris Brown came out of his Los Angeles home peacefully Tuesday after an hourslong standoff with police who responded to a woman's call for help.

Police Lt. Chris Ramirez told reporters that several people were escorted from the residence after a search warrant was served.

No arrests had been made and everyone has been cooperative, he said.

Police said the woman who made the call for help about 3 a.m. was not inside the hilltop estate in the San Fernando Valley. Ramirez did not identify the woman or elaborate on the assistance she needed. He did not know if she was injured.

Brown's attorney Mark Geragos arrived at the home shortly before the warrant was served.

According to multiple media outlets, a woman claimed Brown pointed a gun at her before she was able to escape. The LAPD told FOX411: "No shots were fired... right now that's all we have."

Brown, 27, posted two videos on Instagram from inside the house. Talking to the camera in one, the rapper acknowledged law enforcement were outside his house. "So I don't sleep half the damn night I just wake up to all these mother f--king helicopters, choppers is around, police out there at the gate," he said.

In the other video, Brown denied wrongdoing, and criticized law enforcement.

"I ain't did s--t. I ain't going to do s--t. And it's always going to be be f--k the police black lives matter n---er," he said. "I don't care y'all going to stay playing with me like I'm the villain out here, like I'm going crazy. You guys got me f--ked up though because good luck when you get the warrant or whatever you need to do. You're going to walk right up in here and you're going to see nothing you idiots. I'm tired of f--king dealing with you all, y'all the worst gang in the world, the police, and I said it."

OH WELL Looks like nothing to see here!

Gladys Knight Sues Her Son Following Restaurant Raids

Gladys Knight might serve chicken, but she just proved that she’s not too chicken to sue her own child!

via TMZ: Gladys wants the person now running the restaurants previously managed by her son,Shanga Hankerson, to 86 her from signs and promotions for the chicken and waffle joints.

Gladys says she gave the green light to use her name and image for the restaurants back in ’99, but put the kibosh on the deal a few months ago after the eateries were raided by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Her son was arrested for allegedly pocketing a million bucks.

And one more thing … in addition to money and an injunction, Gladys wants all her memorabilia adorning the restaurants returned to her.

Mama just have to put her foot down.

Kerry Washington discusses her second pregnancy

(CBS) “Scandal” creator Shonda Rhimes didn’t know that star Kerry Washington had another baby on the way when a less-is-more plan was put in place for season six of the political thriller.

The ABC series will have just 16 episodes next season. And fans will have to wait until January to see how the show’s many cliffhangers play out.

Rhimes “knows what the story is,” Washington said recently when she sat down with The Associated Press. “She knows about how many episodes she needs left to get there. And that was her decision.”

Shonda Rhimes talks about producing Hillary Clinton's DNC film

It was only a couple weeks after Rhimes’ announcement about the new “Scandal” game plan that Washington told her boss that she and her husband, former NFL star and current film actor and producer, Nnamdi Asomugha, were expecting again. They have a 2-year-old daughter, Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha.

Washington, 39, smiles and jokingly denies she’s carrying a second child. She pats her baby bump, laughs and says she’d merely eaten too much for lunch.

So, how is having a second child different from having the first? “Every day is different,” she says. “And, for me, definitely these two pregnancies have been very different.”

When asked how each pregnancy has been unique, she veers away from the subject. Kerry Washington is not one to talk publicly about her personal life.

In July, she returned to work on “Scandal,” in which she plays Olivia Pope, a fictional fixer for Washington’s elite. The actress also has been navigating Emmy season. She has two nominations for the TV movie “Confirmation,” which centers on the Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Clarence Thomas (played by Wendell Pierce) and allegations he sexually harassed one of his employees, Anita Hill (played by Washington).

Washington is nominated for her performance, as well as for serving as one of the movie’s executive producers.

“I think the thing that most surprised me about producing is that it kind of brings out my own inner Olivia Pope, ironically,” Washington says. “I love producing because it allows me to play other characters in other worlds in other situations. But that part of me, that part of Kerry that likes to be a fixer and a helper and solve problems, is really able to play. I’m not exactly wearing a white suit or a white hat or carrying Prada. I usually have on sneakers and jeans and a baseball cap. But I still have a little Olivia Pope with me when I’m producing.”

Rihanna & Drake Have a Date Night at Nobu

Rihanna looks so chic in a white button down while heading into Nobu on Monday night (August 29) in New York City.

The 28-year-old entertainer was joined by her rumored boyfriend Drake, who professed his love for Ri during the VMAs the night before.

Drake also took to his Instagram that evening to write a sweet message to Rihanna.

“This is a night for us all to be thankful for what you have done for us! You have affected so many of our lives in the best way possible. Tonight we celebrate you! @badgalriri,” he captioned an photo

Awwwwwww!

Details On New “Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur and the Birth of West Coast Rap…”Biography By Ben Westhoff.

Unlike NWA’s biopic Oscar nominated “Straight Outta Compton’ for ‘WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) NOMINEE’ back in 2015. They left out a bunch of vital information including Dr. Dre beat down television host Dee Barnes “Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur and the Birth of West Coast Rap will cover Dee Barnes situation and even the author hinted Puff Daddy is behind Tupac’s death. Dr. Dre barely supported his out of wedlock children.

Back in November 2015, Murder Rap, retired LAPD detective Greg Kading claims that Puff Daddy hired a Crips gang member to kill Tupac during the height of the Bad Boy Entertainment and Death Row Records beef. Click Here if you missed that.

Puff addresses the accusations on April 1, when he was asked by The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne to address the reports that he put a hit on Tupac.

“We don’t talk about things that are nonsense,” Diddy says. “We don’t even entertain nonsense, my brother. So we’re not even going to go there, with all due respect. I appreciate you as a journalist asking. Thank you.”

Amber Rose Jokes About Beyoncé Upstaging Her on the Carpet, Dodges Kanye Question

"Extra" special correspondent Angie Martinez was on the red carpet of the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards catching up with Amber Rose, who was attending the awards show. Amber gave Angie a full fashion breakdown and joked about getting upstaged by Beyoncé on the red carpet. When the topic turned to Kanye West, however, Amber got a little flustered over whether she wanted to see her ex perform at the awards show.

Watch HERE!

LOL!

Europe hits Apple with $14.6 billion tax bill

Ireland must recover up to 13 billion euros ($14.6 billion) in unpaid taxes from Apple, Europe's top regulator ruled on Tuesday.

The tax ruling is by far the biggest the European Union has ever made regarding a single company, and it could spark a huge transatlantic row over how Europe treats big U.S. companies.

Apple shares fell almost 3% in premarket trading. The company will appeal the decision. It said the ruling upended the international tax system and would damage jobs and investment in Europe. Ireland also intends to appeal.

The Commission said the Irish government had granted illegal state aid to Apple (AAPL, Tech30) by helping the tech giant to artificially lower its tax bill for more than 20 years.

"Member States cannot give tax benefits to selected companies -- this is illegal under EU state aid rules," said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, Europe's top antitrust official.

Apple paid tax at 1%, or less, on profits attributed to its subsidiaries in Ireland, well below the 35% top rate in the United States and even well below Ireland's 12.5% rate.

That prompted complaints by both European and U.S. lawmakers, who argued the deal gave Apple an unfair advantage in exchange for creating jobs in Ireland. CEO Tim Cook was even called to testify on Apple's tax deal before a Senate committee in 2013.

The bill for tax benefits, plus interest, covers 2003 to 2014. Apple has more than $231 billion in cash on its balance sheet to cushion the blow.

Apple (AAPL, Tech30) is not the only American company that has recently found itself under scrutiny over its European tax affairs.

The European Commission ordered Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler to repay millions in taxes last October.

Starbucks (SBUX) has to pay back up to 30 million euros it saved thanks to a sweetheart tax deal with the Netherlands. Fiat Chrysler (FCAM) was ordered to repay a similar amount after a similar deal with Luxembourg.

Both companies have appealed the decisions.

The EU is also probing the tax arrangements of Amazon (AMZN, Tech30) and McDonald's (MCD). Google (GOOG) is under investigation over its taxes in France and a couple of other European countries.

The ruling against Apple's tax deal comes despite a stern warning from the U.S. last week. The Treasury Department urged the European Commission to stop its tax crackdown on American companies, saying it would consider "potential responses" if Brussels doesn't change course.